Japan: FTS fails to turn its luck around at Suzuka

Faster Than Speed endured another disappointing Sunday at Suzuka after failling to reach the checkered flag for the third race in a row. Both Patrick De Wit and Giuseppe Marconi suffered an early retirement in the WC Japanese GP.

On a positive side, Giuseppe Marconi took in WS his second top-ten result of the season.

In the World Championship division, Patrick De Wit just missed out on entering the Q2 session by 0.002s. His Q1 laptime, despite being only 0.236s slower than the fastest time from Lapchin, only left him in 11th place. Team mate Giuseppe Marconi qualified 16th. By the time the lights were out, both gained a place due to Huis' retirement.

While clutch issues left Giuseppe stranded on the grid and out of the race, Patrick made a good start, passing a couple of cars off the line before overtaking Saxen into turn 1. From P7, he started putting pressure on Disley, who he passed with a great move through the outside into the first corner the following lap. However, the Australian made contact from behind in the Suzuka esses, sending Patrick to the grass without returning his position. The team then had to retire Patrick's car at the beginning of lap 4, ending our Sunday afternoon prematurely.

In the World Series division, Giuseppe Marconi drove a good race as he overcame engine issues after having to get out of the gravel, plus gearshift paddle problems to hold on to his 10th place from Wernersen towards the end of the race, to take his second top-ten result of the season.

Faster Than Speed now moves to the Yas Marina Circuit at Abu Dhabi, for the penultimate race of the season after the three-week break. FTS will be hoping to turn its luck around and return to scoring strong points. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and live coverage from Abu Dhabi!